sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

There is a thread today about getting a new, very expensive lens, and not telling the wife. Sometimes the wife just smiles and agrees. But beware - sometimes our wives have their OWN "Gear Acquisition Syndrome", which they can entirely justify when we go out and buy that big new lens or the latest upgraded camera body. Their version of GAS, though, I would call "Girl Acquisition Syndrome" - referring to the American Girl Doll. These dolls have for many years now been the rage for gifts for granddaughters. Not to mention for older - oops - "mature" - women collectors who perhaps didn't have dolls as children and are now compensating! And - just like our camera gear comes with lots of invisible strings called "accessories", the American Girl Doll company has figured out that the doll itself is merely the beginning of getting people hooked.

I visited the American Girl store in Orlando last week with my wife. Every morning as I read through UHH, she spends time on her "AG Playthings" blog. Going to an AG store is the equivalent of going to the one of the mega-camera stores in New York City. I could not help snapping a few photos with my iPhone.

My wife helps fund her hobby by spotting older AG accessories at yard sales and Goodwill that she knows have been discontinued - she will commonly pick up a bag of odds-and-ends for $5 and sell it for $80 or more on EBay.

The tent is $70 - MY tent is larger, comes with a rain fly, and was not that much!


The buggy is $275 - does NOT include horse or doll. Gotta have it!


Have an ice cream shop!

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Check out sewing machines for a wife, clue, my wife could spend the equivalent of a Hasselblad on a machine, nostrain, one of her 'girl' friends is a dealer.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

LOL, nope, my wife does not get GAS but she does have and gets MAS, as do I too. MAS is (recorded) Music Acquisition Syndrome. We are both addicted to listening to music. Yikes, between us we have about 5,620 some units of recorded music; LPs, CDs, 7" Vinyl Singles, CSs.

A couple odd Wants she has had over the years. She wanted my friend's old 35mm SLR film camera system. So we bought his camera and lenses for her. She rarely uses it but I can't seem to get her interested in digital photography either. Sometimes I push her to use one of my digital cameras. Though I do use (his) she old lenses from time to time.

A few years ago she wanted a metal Tonka Dump Truck because she never had one as a girl but always wanted one. We found a used one in good condition on eBay. We store magazine in it now. At least it gets used for something.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

And let's not forget about the love women have for stylish shoes. Some can cost well into the mid hundreds of dollars for one pair. And rich women spend even more. I do like the other version of GAS. Regarding Girls.

happy sailor Loc: Ontario, Canada

American Girl - I feel your pain, I have four granddaughters and my wife thinks that all of them need an AG by the time they are ten. I went to the AG store in Chicago, OMG! three stories, a hair parlour to have the dolls hair done, all the matching outfits for girls and dolls, a doll hospital, a cafe to have tea with your dolls. The place blew me away. The seven year olds who visit us weekly are doing small chores around the house and getting paid for them which they save in a jar to go to the American Doll store in Toronto with Grandma this spring. Cameras are cheap, lol!

jim quist Loc: Missouri

My wife's GAS was a 2016 Mustang GT California Edition.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

My wife has GAS she like to change her car quite often, so I have no problem when I want replace my camera or buy a lens.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I know several people who collect those dolls, and one who make clothing for them.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

I'm in real trouble. I love camera equipment, guitars and guitar equipment, jewelry, shoes, clothes. However, I never pay interest, or get what I can't afford. My husband is into guitars & comic books.

cincykid

We have purchased 4 American Girl Dolls in the last couple years for our granddaughters. Prior to the first one, I had never heard of them. M
y son refers to AG as a "cult". We went to the store in Chicago once. It was amazingly bizzare for a guy but a hit with all the girls and ladies. The old expression "different strokes for different folks" applies.

FrankR Loc: NYC

Not since she stopped eating broccoli.

CareyG

Every family should have two Mustang GT's. One red, one black.

Flyerace Loc: Mt Pleasant, WI

The GAS overload is not limited to men or women in photography. If you like doing something, someone will figure out a way to part you from your money.

Quilters pay more for a 1/4 yd of material than purchasing an entire yard in another store. For some reason, ladies who quilt have been brainwashed to believe there is a difference in the quality of the material. (not quite so much reality with that one, but they will beat you to a pulp if you state that)

Golfers need the latest version of the driver each year because practice doesn't really make you a better golfer (same as photogs) and don't get me going on golf shoes. I've just added two pair and now have 116 pairs of golf shoes. Yes I wear them and yes I play a lot of golf. I do believe in practice and shoot better than many people. (I only purchase on sale or clearance)

I love my photography gear. I always love making photos, but really fell in love when digital became a quality tool. All the freedom in the world for very little operating expense. Yes, I have seven cameras, but I've used all of them a lot. The two I regularly use now are a few years old. I am just looking for one more lens and I'm going to be the happiest photog in the country.

Anyway, those of us not yet deceased, have hobbies, like everyone else. Hobbies can cost money. I have a little chocolate business that I operate near Christmas. It generates enough money to support my addictions. Am I rich? No way. Am I rich? Yes. I get to do what I want, travel with my best friend and husband of 39 years and interact with friends in person and online. I will never have a ton of money (remember 7 Nikon cameras?), but I've met some wonderful people and can still get up and operate by myself each day.

So, yeah, I'm a wife and I get GAS, but . . . does it matter? Am I stealing from someone? I look at it as my effort to keep the economy going.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Yes - - Spousal GAS is ALIVE and WELL
Follows is my wife's Sewing Room
The MONSTER on the right is an Innova Longarm Quilting Machine
There is also a Bernina 550QE sewing machine and a Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond embroidery machine in the photo
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According to EACH of us - - It will NEVER END
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Her Crafting Corner

(Download)

Monster Quilt for Grandson #1

(Download)

Yellowstone, Artists Point (the result of MY GAS)

(Download)

crafterwantabe Loc: Mn

Oh this is a great topic. I have CMAS. Not by choice! I'm the proud owner of coffee makers. At last count I have 9 unused different types . And 3 different one that get used occasionally. I'm not a huge coffee drinker. But, apparently my hubby thinks I am. Every year for Christmas. I asked for a camera. I don't think any of these coffee maker can take pictures hehe 😂 .